Decoration For Fijian
p. 12 · Read in the full issue
IN June “PIM,” Sergeant-Major Bob Hewlett, of the Fiji Military Forces, described how Private Sairusi Koto, a transport driver of the same unit, took a day off at the war.
Private Koto recently was awarded the American Silver Star for that day’s work.
The citation states: “While attached to an American unit as a member of a security and identifica tion party operating in front of the main line of resistance, Private Koto killed a Japanese machine-gunner and captured the machine-gun and an enemy knee mortar. . “Continuing the patrol through dense jungle growth, Private Koto observed and killed another Japanese with his rifle.
Further exposing himself to possible hos tile fire, he borrowed a Browning auto matic rifle from an American member of his patrol and fired on two Japanese apparently killing or wounding them.’
Private Koto’s superb scouting ability excellent marksmanship and fearless determination to eliminate the enemy reflect great credit upon himself and his service.”